According to Rotimi Amaechi, a former minister of transportation, Nigerian politicians frequently use drastic tactics to win elections.
Amaechi made this claim in Abuja during a national conference hosted by the African Centre for Leadership, Strategy, and Development on bolstering Nigerian democracy.
Reiterating the importance of political vigilance, the former governor of Rivers state cautioned that power must be earned and urged Nigerians to constantly protect their votes if they hope to attain some kind of real leadership.
“None of you here seated can defend the votes. If you have complained, complain, Nigerians have been clapping for you. The only way Ibrahim Shekarau became governor was because people lined up.
“It happened in Ghana before the election of the last president. Two days, a lot of us were called to intervene. But why did they do that? The people were ready to die.
“You are talking and abusing everybody. Nobody has power and will give it to you — not even me. If you want a pastor as president, go and get one.
“The politician is there in Nigeria to steal, maim, and kill to remain in power. If you think Tinubu will give it to you, you are wasting your time,” he said.
In the days preceding the 2015 presidential election, when a newly founded APC toppled the reigning Peoples Democratic Party, or PDP, the All Progressives Congress, or APC, presidential candidate in the general election of 2023, described his experience.
He credited the APC’s success to its leaders’ willpower and willingness to go above and beyond.
He claims that former President Goodluck Jonathan finally admitted loss after realizing the APC was ready to stand up for its mandate and urged voters to take comparable actions in subsequent elections.
Recalls that Amaechi expressed his disappointment in Nigerians’ indifferent attitude toward the current economic crisis in October 2024.
Amaechi was retaliated upon by the ruling APC, which claimed he was among those responsible for the destruction of Nigeria.
Prior to the general election in 2023, Amaechi was one of 14 candidates vying for the APC presidential ticket.
In the primary election, he received 316 votes, which was less than the 1,271 votes received by eventual winner Tinubu.